.N69 L29 



(1900) 



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Annual Address 



TO 



Lafayette Post No. 140 

Department of New York, G. A. R. 



BY 



Commander Allan C. Bakewell 
1900 



Annual Address 



TO 



Lafayette Post No. 140 

Department of New York, G. A. R. 



BY 



Commander Allan C. Bakewell 



1900 



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Annual Address 
1900. 



Comrades: — Of all the duties of my life I have never 
found any more beneficial than to review the past. If 
in looking over the records of a year, we may find sat- 
isfaction, we are stimulated thereby for better deeds 
and nobler purposes even, than those we approve; and, 
should we find barren spots in the field, green perhaps 
with verdure from the seed we have sown, we are in- 
clined to improve in the future where we have been 
remiss in the past. 

The past year has been one, to me, rich with many 
blessings ; perfumed with the closest association of 
Comrades whom I have learned to call my friends, and 
glorified with the superior loyality of those who hon- 
ored me with the command. 

No one can ever know the reluctance with which I 
accepted the nomination for office realizing, as I did, 
the prominent position where my predecessors had 
placed the Post, and its magnificent history to be main- 
tained; but this feeling is now greatly changed, for no 
Commander can fail when relying upon the support of 
the noble men of this Post who stand on guard to 
supply all deficiencies and to carry out any project 
which may be proposed. 

With such a wonderful past for an example and so 
firm a foundation to rest upon there is so much to 
guide and so sure an anchorage to harbor in, it would 
be a poor mariner indeed who could not sail safely 



4 Ni >ic teen Hundred. 

over the well chart-ed lanes of travel or ride securely 
at anchor should storms prevail. 

It is with no sense of self-adulation that I point out 
the deeds of the year — fruitful as they have been — but 
with a feeling of pride that so much has been accom- 
plished. It has been your work more than mine. 

During the year we have added fifteen to our Ros- 
ter-roll — eleven by muster and four by transfer, and 
we have lost thirty-seven — twelve by death, seven by 
honorable discharge, nine by transfer and nine dropped 
— a net loss in membership of twenty-two. 

The last report of the Quartermaster shows a net 
gain in the General Fund of $405.81, and in the Relief 
Fund of $190.65, reflecting much credit on the man- 
agement of the Quartermaster's Department. 

The following chronicle of the events of the year 
will recall many pleasant incidents and place before 
you the labor and results of a term full of interest and 
activity. 

January 5.— Public Installation of Officers by Com- 
mander in Chief Albert D. Shaw. This was an occa- 
sion of great enjoyment. The guests were more nu- 
merous than ever, among whom were many in private 
life, yet notable withal, who were deeply impressed 
with the services of the G. A. R., and enlightened 
with its purposes. Department Commander Kay and 
Staff were also present and added their praises of the 
Post and all it had performed. The music was super- 
latively good and assisted greatly in the enjoyment of 
the dance wherein the Daughters and their friends 
took evident delight. 

January 11. — Death of Junior Vice Commander 



X met ecu Hundred. f 

Banks. This came like a shock from an unseen hand. 
It cast a cloud of sorrow about us that seemed too 
dark to penetrate, too mysterious to understand. He 
had been a true Comrade for so many years and an 
efficient officer. It seemed as if a blow had been given 
from which we could not recover. 

January 19. — A flag was authorized to be sent to 
Comrade Corbet, Jet, Oklahoma, for a school in his 
neighborhood, which should be the counterpart of the 
one sent to him for a similar purpose in January 1899. 

January 26. — A silk flag mounted on a staff, with 
two smaller salutation flags, were presented to School 
No. 165, at 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. 
Several Comrades were present at the presentation 
which was formally made by Comrade Homer with 
eloquent words. The exercises by the children were 
patriotic, unique and interesting. 

February 2. — Commander in Chief Shaw and De- 
partment Commander Kay were present at the Post 
Encampment by special invitation to muster in the 
recruit of the occasion. The obligation was bestowed 
by your Commander; the charge delivered by the 
Commander in Chief and the badge presented by the 
Department Commander. 

A letter was read from Mrs. Mohr, Past Department 
President of the Woman's Relief Corps, with thanks 
for a donation in aid of her benevolent work among 
army nurses. 

Reports were made of the public presentation by 
the Post of large and handsome flags to public schools 
Nos. 90 and 169. 

February 16. — A letter was received from the Su- 



6 Nineteen I I unci red. 

perintendent of the Alfred Corning Clark Neighbor- 
hood House commending the labor of Comrade Robert 
A. Morrison in drilling the DeWitt Cadets connected 
with the institution. These cadets have since become 
thoroughly organized through the efforts of our Com- 
rade and have been loaned a sum of money to pur- 
chase uniforms which they have partly returned. 

An altar flag and ten dollars in cash was sent to 
Comrade Lancey, of Maitland, Florida, to revive a 
dying Post. This was provided by three comrades of 
this Post, and was the only flag carried in the parade 
of the Department of Florida on the occasion of its 
Annual Encampment. 

A large bunting flag was voted for the Industrial 
School No. 34, VVillet Street, which was afterwards 
formally presented for the Post by Comrade Henry P. 
Butler, and addresses were made by Officer of the 
Guard Trenor and Comrade Serrell. It was enthusi- 
astically received by the little children of foreign par- 
entage with salutation and song. 

Another flag, the third, was authorized to be sent 
to Oklahoma on request of Comrade Corbet. 

Comrade Homer reported the shipment of one hun- 
dred and sixty 4x6 bunting flags and one hundred and 
sixty salutation flags to the schools of Hawaii. They 
were sent with an address from the Post and with 
copies of Salute Exercises. 

March 2. — The Post authorized the Committee on 
Military Instruction and Flag Presentation to Schools 
to organize within the Post a Flag Association, which 



Nineteen Hundred. J 

has been done and rules governing the same estab- 
lished. This has not met with the success hoped for 
by your Commander in point of membership yet much 
has been accomplished. There are about forty annual 
members with annual dues of $3.00 each and several 
Comrades have become life members by payment of 
$50. Several hundred dollars have been obtained by 
one member of the association from patriotic friends — 
all of which has been spent in the purchase of hun- 
dreds of flags as this report will bear witness. Your 
Commanderfeels confident that the Association will 
become enlarged as the results become known and he 
recommends it to the careful consideration of all the 
comrades of the Post. 

The placing of a Tablet at the tomb of Lafayette in 
Picpus Cemetery, France, was authorized and it has 
been procured at a cost of $90.00, and will soon be in 
position to be a lasting memorial of the patriotism of 
this Post whose works are not confined by any bound- 
ary but the circumference of the earth, to teach won- 
derful lessons to the world that the true American is a 
lover of liberty and proves his loyalty to that boon for 
humanity by setting up its memorials of esteem which 
an hundred years cannot shroud with forgetfulness. 

March 16. — The Post Hy-laws were amended mak- 
ing the Muster and Transfer fees for admission to this 
Post $25. The effect of this amendment has no doubt 
limited admissions to the Post and to a large degree is 
accountable for the small number of recruits for the 
year. It was deemed wise to make this change for 
numerous reasons, the prominent one being to encour- 
age comrades of the order to remain with the Posts 



8 Nineteen Hundred. 

where they have been identified and are needed rather 
than to be encouraged to leave them for admission to 
this. The day has arrived when few members may be 
expected except by transfer but it has not arrived 
when Posts should be abandoned to their discomfort 
for affiliation with others still strong enough for 
their own maintenance. The muster and tiansler fees 
now received under the amended by-law are payable 
to the Relief Fund which needs to be supported and 
strengthened against the day, not far distant, I fear, 
when its resources will be limited and its accumula- 
tions in greater demand. 

Junior- Vice Commander Everts was elected at this 
time by unanimous choice to fill the place made vacant 
by the sudden departure of our remembered and re- 
vered Comrade Banks. In Comarde Everts I have 
had a strong supporter and wise counsellor, thus 
proving your good judgement in making so wise a 
selection. 

March 27. — In addition to two hundred 4x6 bunt- 
ing flags previously sent to the schools of the Pnil- 
ippine Islands five hundred 4x6 bunting flags were 
placed on the Transport Sumner for conveyance to 
Manila to be distributed among the native officials 
and prominent citizens of those islands to encourage 
loyalty to our country and allegiance to our gov- 
ernment. This was not hastily nor inconsiderately 
done. An appeal had come from the loyal soldiers 
who are in the service of humanity in the far away 
possessions where the guiding hand of Providence 
has led the Nation. After consultation in person 



Nineteen Hundred. p 

with the Secretary of War and the Adjutant Gen- 
eral, I became convinced of the need of immediate 
action and relying upon your support to me and loy- 
alty to the flag I promised the gift and telegraphed to 
your Flag Committee the promise, also ordering the 
flags by wire to be ready for first conveyance. Imme- 
diately on my return I called the committee together 
to make my report and was astonished to find that one 
Comrade (who modestly fcrbids the use of his name), 
had secured the funds and I was received with an ap- 
proval of my course and a check in hand to meet the 
cost. That I was touched by this action of the Com- 
rade and the Committee mildly expresses what I felt. 
It rounded up a gift of nearly 1,500 bunting nags to 
our new possessions without the cost of a dollar to 
the Post fund. It sanctified our profession of Loy- 
alty; it proved our support of a government we had 
defended and preserved, and it placed the purposes of 
the Grand Army of the Republic upon a pedestal to 
be observed, even by those who hitherto have failed 
to see. This gift to the Philippines was warmly com- 
mended in an autograph letter by Comrade McKinley. 
afac simile of which has been sent to you all. 

April 20. — The Post contributed $10.00 toward the 
expense of decorating, on Memorial Day, the graves 
of Comrades in Southern Departments. 

On this date an entertainment was given to the Com- 
rades and their families. There were about three 
hundred present. Ti.e programme was considerably 
rendered by Comrades of the Post augmented by 
volunteer talent of rare excellence and some other 
additions. A li^ht refreshment was distributed and 



10 



Nineteen Hundred. 



another enjoyable occasion was recorded which helps 
to brighten our days as our shadows lengthen to- 
wards the evening time. 

May 4. — Senior- Vice Commander Brackett reported 
securing a home in an asylum for the little daughter 
of our deceased Comrade Thorndike, This was not 
easily accomplished, yet accomplished, and the Post 
may be grateful not only to Comrade Brackett, who 
devoted much energy and time, but to Mrs. Brackett 
as well, who brought her womanly powers of persua- 
sion to bear and her sweet influence beside which 
secured the desired result, and this was not the only 
instance. In this connection I would like to say just 
a word or two, that my Comrades may know it is not 
only our own business ways, and committee action 
and grand work, that does so much good, it is to 
the wives and daughters of many of our Comrades 
of the Post we are indebted for much that has 
brought us distinction and praise. Though we have 
no organized Woman's Relief Corps as established by 
that name, we have an auxiliary that holds its silent 
musings at our home firesides and more than I can de- 
scribe or even know, helps us in deeds of charity that 
has been blessed by Him who commended the gift of 
a cup of cold water in His name. 

May 16-17. — The Post delegation to the Depart- 
ment Encampment was present at Utica. A number 
of the delegates from this Post, by invitation of the 
Grand Marshal, was mounted and headed the proces- 
sion which paraded the streets. 

At this Encampment the Post was honored by 
the election of myself as Delegate and of Comrade 



Nineteen Hundred. 11 

Blanchard as Alternate to the National Encampment. 
This action gave the Post a representation of three in 
that body. Comrade C. S. Palmer being a Past De- 
partment Commander. 

May 1 8. — A large bunting flag was formally pre- 
sented to The Sheltering Arms, at 504 West 139th St., 
in the afternoon. 

Two flags were sent to the High Schools of Com- 
anche and Dublin, Texas, and were presented by 
the Department Commander of that State with much 
ceremony. Confederates and their families were 
present and participated. It certainly established a 
united feeling of regard for the emblem which means 
protection to all at home and has its influence for lofty 
purposes against personal ambition abroad. 

A flag was also sent to the Dorchester Academy, 
at .Mcintosh, Georgia, and two of them sent to the 
Soldiers and Sailors Home at Washington, D. C. The 
former has been gratefully acknowledged and the 
latter were given in memory of our departed Comrade 
Wetherill whose widow is connected with the Home. 

May 27. — Memorial Sunday. By invitation of the 
Pastor and Trustees of the New York Presbyterian 
Church, corner of 128th Street and Seventh Avenue, 
the Post attended divine service in the evening at eight 
o'clock. Comrade Duncan J. McMillan, the pastor, 
paid a glowing tribute in his address of welcome and 
in his sermon too, to the accomplishments of Lafay- 
ette Post. The church was beautifully decorated and 
the service interesting and instructive. Your Com- 
mander was gratified that so many comrades, both 
uniformed and otherwise, were present to sustain the 



12 Nineteen Hundred. 

reputation of the Post in its constant endeavor to sup- 
port the purposes of the Grand Army of the Republic 
in all its exercises. Notwithstanding the increased 
distance for so many of our Comrades there seemed 
to be the usual goodly number present. 

May 30. — The Annual Memorial Day of the Grand 
Army. The duty of the Memorial Committee of plac- 
ing over the graves of our departed Comrades a fresh 
flag in token of their loyalty to country and our loyal- 
ty to their memory was religiously performed. The 
Statue of Lafayette in Union Square Park was decor- 
ated with flowers and at the tomb in Picpus Cemetery, 
France, a wreath was provided and placed there by 
request, by Comrade Ambassador Porter with words 
of praise for the Post, whose duty is performed with- 
out hindrance by distance. The Daughters of the 
Post in sympathy with our worship and regard fur- 
nished a beautiful wreath to mingle with the flowers we 
placed on the status here a mute but eloquent testi- 
mony of gratitude for the long ago service of the 
patriot who helped our fathers make us free. It was a 
beautiful day as if specially provided to give approval 
of the other special feature the Post had admirably 
arranged to perform. At 9 a. m. the comrades of the 
Post with their families and friends numbering about 
600 in all embarked on a Starin boat and sailed up the 
noble Hudson with banners afloat and music attendant 
to disembark at West Point, and place in Cullum Me- 
morial Hall a bronze tablet to give tribute of worthy 
praise to our esteemed Comrade Doubleday, who had 
learned on that historic ground the great lessons which 
have made so manv leaders in strife and have known 



Nineteen Hundred. rj 

"no such word as fail." Accompanying the Post was 
the widow of our departed Comrade who knows no 
words but praise for the tribute bestowed. The exer- 
cises of installation were ritualistic and impressive. 
The litany, the music, the addresses, and the reading 
of the famous Gettysburg Address of the martyred 
President we.e features of the programme which will 
not soon be forgotten, and the lessons taught thereby 
have made an impression which must redound to the 
credit of the Order for which we stand. The tablet 
had been procured within the limit of the appropria- 
tion made, including afac simile for the widow's home. 
The return by boat was a progression of enjoyment, 
the finish of which closed a day of rare experience 
without a single incident of misfortune but full of sat- 
isfaction and pleasure seldom if ever surpassed. The 
Committee in charge of all the details have my warm- 
est praise and earned the approbation of every Com- 
rade of the Post. 

June i. — In response to request from an offic r oi 
the Woman's Relief Corps' Home at Oxford, New 
York, there had been contributed by Comrades of the 
Post a generous collection of books and magazines 
for the library and reading room of the Home — sev- 
eral hundred in all. This gift was suitably acknowl- 
edged and reported at an encampment of the Post 
on this date. It was a bountiful response to the call 
from the last abiding place of the tottering soldier 
and his faithful spouse, as well as of the never to be 
forgotten unselfish nurses who followed in the army's 
wake to heal the sick, succor the wounded and re- 
store to service the invalid boys in blue who so sadly 



/./ Nineteen Hundred. 

needed woman's care, and it was another evidence 
of the sublime mission of the Grand Army to be 
noble in purpose and pure in sentiment. 

At the Encampment of this date the Post had the 
pleasure of receiving- an informal visit from the Count 
Sahune de Lafayette, a direct descendant and grand. 
son of the Marquise, for whom this Post was named. 
He has expressed himself grateful for his reception 
which was without ceremony or preparation, but cor- 
dial and sincere. 

Julv 6. — Another evidence of the indefatigable and 
loyal performance of duty by Senior- Vice Comman- 
der Brackett was brought to notice at this Encamp- 
ment through his report that he had found a home for 
two more of the children of our late Comrade Thorn- 
dike. Again Mrs. Brackett showed her womanhood 
and patriotism in procuring a special ruling which 
permitted the children's entrance into the home. 

A flag was sent to St. James Church, Augnstinian 
Fathers; Carthage, New York, which was duly re- 
received and gratefully acknowledged. An illustra- 
tion that the Post has but one creed, the Golden 
Rule, and knows no party or race. 

August 26-30. — Not the least successful perform- 
ance of the year was the attendance of 54 Comrades 
at Chicago on the occasion of the National Encamp- 
ment. Had your Commander realized at the incep- 
tion of the proposition to properly represent the Post 
in a body at so great a distance from home, what it 
would involve in labor and sacrifice, he would have 
discouraged the effort. However, it was a pro- 
nounced success — consumated through the untiring 
energy of the Committee, the sacrifice of time by 



Nineteen Hundred. 15 

many Comrades and the liberality of others. Lafay- 
ette Post is not properly constituted to make so long 
and expensive a journey. Those who have the time 
and money to spare are at the season of the year 
when National Encampments are held scattered all 
over the face of the globe. They cannot go and they 
are difficult to reach. Yet on this occasion the money 
was provided by loyal and liberal Comrades and 
men of sufficient number were in the ranks. This 
urgent request of the Commander in Chief to be 
present was cheerfully met and and the Post scored 
another victory for itself and carried away the palm. 
We had the right of line of the entire marching col- 
umn on foot and made a creditable appearance in a 
procession that occupied five hours to pass a given 
point. Too much cannot be said of the completeness 
of every detail of the arrangements. Transportation 
was secured that was comfortable and exclusive and 
accommodation was provided that was ample and 
agreeable. There was nothing to mar the enjoyment 
but everything to enhance the value of Comradship. 
September 27. — Dinner to General and Comrade 
Elwell S. Otis. It has been expressed by conserva- 
tive and experienced men that no better affair of this 
character has ever occurred in the city of New York, 
and nothing has ever caused me more misgiving in 
the preparation than did this. Men of note had in- 
formed me that a dinner of this character could not 
be arranged in the heat of summer, and words of dis- 
couragement and ominous shaking of heads met me 
at every turn, while the Committee in charge were 
pursuing their course to gather the grand result. 
With a leaden heart and trembling nerves I watched 



16 Nineteen Hundred. 

the labor and counted up the daily current reports 
while I shuddered almost in contemplation of the de- 
feat that seemed inevitable. It seemed as if the 
series of successes of years, the Napoleonic marches 
of the Post since its birth was to meet its Waterloo 
under my administration. Nothing could be done to 
avert the seeming disaster, but to proceed. The 
hand had been placed upon the plough and we 
could not look back. Again I had underestimated 
my Comrades of the Post. The dinner was an occa- 
sion that no words can fully portray its success. The 
guests who were speakers were noted for their con- 
spicuous and lofty position in life. The army and 
navy, regular and volunteer, the Church, the college, 
were represented by the highest in the rank of their 
profession, and the sentiments expressed were nation- 
al and loyal, conceived by cultured thought and 
uttered by eloquent tongues. The Grand Army of the 
Republic chieftain and the Confederate general sat 
together as the lion and lamb of millennium allegory 
and exchanged sentiments of brotherhood and loyalty 
of which neither could be ashamed. It was a great 
feast, and no one can measure its influence. The 
lessons of the year, even of the century, were thrown 
with words, like pictures on canvass, which revealed 
the nation's growth, its worldly influence, and its 
possible attainments. It had a national value and its 
benefits cannot be foretold. To those who brought 
forth the surpas ing grand success of this occasion 
out of the darkness of doubt and discouragement 
to make it shine with all the glory of brightest 
light I owe more than I can repay. To have 
failed would have darkened my future life, while now 



Nineteen Hundred. ij 

I am still wearing the uniform of the Post instead of 
the sackcloth and ashes assigned by some of my per- 
sonal friends. 

October 20. — In response to an appeal by the Com- 
mander in Chief one hundred dollars was telegraphed 
to the Assistant Quartermaster General of the De- 
partment of Texas for the relief of suffering Comrades 
through the Galveston tornado. Returns have not 
yet been furnished so your Commander is unable to 
tell whether this sum was a suitable proportion of 
the total contribution by the order. 

November 2. — At this Encampment the subject of 
delinquency in payment of dues had earnest consid- 
eration, resulting in the suspension of fourteen Com- 
rades and the reproval of others in arrears. This 
matter of delinquency had assumed abnormal pro- 
portions of several years growth, and it seemed to 
me that the limit of indulgence had been nearly 
reached. Weighing the subject for weeks, and con- 
sulting formally and informally with conservative and 
liberal Comrades of the Post; listening to able and 
complete reports from the Delinquency Committee 
I became convinced that in some cases the Post was 
imposed upon, in others the rules imposed a burden 
upon deserving Comrades in forbidding their retire- 
ment without paying sums they were unable to pay, 
and that a few should have an extension of time. To 
relieve those who desired to unload the burden they 
were powerless to do I assumed the responsibility of 
promising them discharges on application and a re- 
mission of accumulated dues. This was accepted by 
five Comrades whose discharges have been granted 
and dues aggregating $106 remitted. Several owing 



1 8 Nineteen Hundred. 

smaller sums who hoped to pay were granted further 
time, and some have paid on account while many- 
have liquidated in full. It was a delicate subject to 
treat in the face of two of the corner stones of the 
Order — Fraternity and Charity. But I could not con- 
scientiously do my duty to you who have placed so 
responsibly in my charge almost the sole decision in 
these cases as they are presented by the Delinquency 
Committee. Pride sometimes has detrimental influ- 
ence upon sensitive men, and they need to be guided 
out of an irksome dilemma, and there is in every or- 
ganization some who become indifferent to pride, to 
say nothing of honor. The dues of the Post are light 
indeed compared with the value they purchase, and 
your Commander believes that there are few within 
our charmed circle who cannot with forethought and 
determination and by systematic proceeding meet the 
cost which is kept so low. It may require sacrifice 
of some habit, perhaps of some necesity, but I would 
belittle the Order if I did not affirm that the value 
obtained is worth the sacrifice. The slate has been 
nearly cleaned. We start upon the new year with an 
inconsiderable arrearage, and this is the result of 
what has been done by persuasion and some force 
withal. If I have erred it has been an error of judg- 
ment and I am willing to leave to your considerate 
and fraternal regard the infliction of whatever pun- 
ishment I deserve. 

November 16. — Again we have received the Com- 
mander in Chief and Department Commander. It 
has been known to your Commander that there were 
some members of the Post, and even among those who 
cheerfully contribute to the expense, who believe 



Nineteen Hundred. ig 

these officers, high in the National and Department 
body, should be" received by the Memorial Committee 
which represents all the Posts of the County of New 
York rather than by one Post who must limit the at- 
tendance, while the committee can arrange for the 
presence of the entire order in the district it com- 
mands. Lafayette Post has annually given these 
receptions since 1886, and after fourteen years may 
with credit to itself turn over the honor to the Me- 
morial Committee. This would have been done the 
present year if the Memorial Committee had prepared 
itself to accept the commission. It had not, and so 
the condition was forced upon your Commander at 
Chicago to either invite the Chief or suddenly abandon 
a function which by adoption for so many years had 
grown, almost, to be a prescribed rule of the Order. 
To have omitted this abruptly might have caused 
uncomfortable conclusions by the two officers whose 
rank had been so signally recognized by the Post for 
a decade and a half. The reception was as usual a 
success, and if we have closed these autumnal feasts 
forever, we closed them with triumph and can point 
to our record without regret. 

December 7. — Election of Officers. Of this there 
is but little to say, but that little is impressive. That 
you re-elected the entire field leaves the Commander 
no position of singular honor, but he can proudly 
take his place with his staff, and accept the distinc- 
tion of your approval by your unanimous choice for 
the second term. There is no emolument so great 
as to receive the approval of a year's service in office 
by the selection for another term. 

December 15. — The Post paraded to be present at 



20 Nineteen Hundred. 

the laying of the Corner Stone of the Soldier's and 
Sailor's Monument, 89th Street and Riverside Drive, 
in the afternoon. With the prospect of inclement 
weather your Commander considered it his duty to 
issue a cautionary command with the order for 
assembly. This doubtless caused the number par- 
ticipating- to be small but the number present com- 
pared favorably with other Posts who were there and 
there could be no charge of indifference to the honor 
offered by the Grand Marshal whose escort the Post 
formed a part. 

In the evening, at the Murray Hill Hotel, the 
Twentieth Birthday of the Post was celebrated with 
a feast. It was a feast indeed. It was arranged 
with so little formality and at so low a price many 
Comrades no doubt, and with reason, were not im- 
pressed that it was intended to be a function of im- 
portance. There were about 60 Comrades present and 
only a guest or two. It was a family affair. The price 
was small but the spread was large, and this, because 
Comrade Jaques, the boniface, was behind the screen. 
For bounty of provision and abundance of wit and 
wisdom the dinner was a revelation. There has 
been no affair of the Post, since I have come within 
it, when fraternity has been more real, enjoyment 
superior or satisfaction more complete. I recom- 
mend an annual recurrence. 

December 18. — A flag, 9x12, of bunting was pre- 
sented for the second time to the Pascal Institute, 
570 Lexington Avenue, in the evening. The formal 
presentation was made by Comrade Henry P. Butler, 
who was present with several of the Post Comrades 



Nineteen Hundred, 21 

who loyally represented us on this important occa- 
sion. 

December 21. — Inspection and Memorial Service. 
The Annual Inspection was made by Assistant In- 
spector Comrade Charles E. Sprague, who was re- 
ceived with honors and discharged his duty with com- 
mendable spirit. A special honor of the evening was 
the appearance of the Department Inspector who 
came, he said, because he wished to show his personal 
appreciation of a Post who stood so high in the Order 
and was a monument of strength and beauty illustrat- 
ing the purposes and principles tor which the Order 
stands. The Memorial Service was impressive and 
grand. Wholly within ourselves we assembled to do 
honor to the memory of the departed for the year. 
We had no hired mourners to sound our lamentations 
or pronounce our eulogies, just a family meeting to 
pay just tribute to our dead. I cannot express my 
feelings as I sat with you in commemorative attitude 
to say farewell again to those who have journeyed in 
advance to assemble on the other snore. It seemed 
to me as though there was a spirit presence of our 
departed Comrades who communed with us and bade 
us pursue our course with increased fellowship and 
more tender regard. As the records were made, and 
the beautiful words of the chosen speaker were 
spoken, and the hymnal choir sang, I could not but 
feel assured that every member present would 
mentally resolve to be a warmer friend and a truer 
Comrade, if such could be, than he had ever been 
before. And so the term has closed in weaving gar- 
lands of affection over the twelve new-made graves 
of the vear. 



22 Nineteen Hundred. 

In closing my report, I must express my warmest 
thanks to one and all. Without my efficient staff it 
would have been a different record I would have had 
to report. If 1 had not had your sublime support, 
Comrades, I would have sat in idleness with folded 
arms and little would have been wrought. You gave 
me good counsel, you stood close by my side, andnow 
you have given me your confidence by choosing me 
for your figure head for another year, It was not my 
wish to succeed myself. To be a worthy Commander 
of Lafayette Post one must give much of his time and 
all of his talents. He must have no thought of his 
personal comfort and have no personal ambition. 
His purpose must be to serve his Comrades as he 
would serve his Country or his God. All that he has 
must be consecrated to the welfare of the men who 
by their integrity and loyalty became kindred in the 
bonds of brotherhood that has no successful rival 
aside from the Church. To have declined this second 
honor, greater than the first, with all that it forgives 
and by its forgiveness bestows, would have been un- 
worthy of the trust you have imposed and careless of 
the affection you so beautifully endow, So then with, 
the past for our guide, let us march boldly into the 
future and meet the affairs that come into our paths, 
believing in each other, that the Post may continue 
to fulfill the mission which Omnipotence has marked 
out for it to perform. 

Allan C. Bakewell, 

Commander. 



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